How to Maintain Your Sanity this Election Season

Election season can be stressful. There may be arguments and claims being made from every direction – family, your friends, coworkers, and your social media feeds.

There may also be fears.

If this person is elected, the job market or the economy will tank. Basic human rights will be taken away.

If that person is hired, they won’t speak for your needs or they’ll be out of touch.

Maybe none of them are to be trusted, or the best we can do is the lesser of two evils.

It’s a lot.

So how can you stay sane during this election cycle, and avoid getting your pressure up every time you turn the tv on or scroll your feed?

Here are a few things I do to protect my mental health during an election cycle:

1. I minimize political conversations with people that I know can’t remain calm and aren’t open to discussing things from different angles.
2. I avoid political coverage from tv shows and websites that are sensational. Even if the sensationalism is from a person or program that matches my viewpoint, the dramatic word choice and tone can create and exacerbate stress.
3. I focus on what political candidates are actually saying they plan to do, and compare that to their track record. I look at the big picture as opposed to one or two issues.
4. I take one off comments into account, but try not to let them skew my overall perception more than they should.
5. I look at patterns of behavior and commentary over time as a more useful and accurate assessment of what a candidate will be like as president.
6. I don’t focus much attention on whether I personally like a candidate. Although it is a plus if I do, the most important thing is how they will or won’t run things.
7. I research politics based on facts, original documents, speeches in their entirety, etc. I prioritize minimally biased (we’re all human), non-partisan sources of information.

Minimally Biased Non-Partisan Information Sources

1. VoteSmart

• Website: votesmart.org
• Provides unbiased information on candidates’ voting records, public statements, and funding. They also offer detailed info on candidates’ positions on various issues based on their own research.
• Widely regarded as a neutral source that provides factual information about candidates’ positions, voting records, and funding. They aim to be apolitical, and criticisms of bias are minimal.

2. Ballotpedia

• Website: ballotpedia.org
• An encyclopedia of American politics that offers in-depth overviews of presidential candidates, their platforms, and their policy positions. It’s often regarded as factual and non-partisan.
• Usually seen as neutral or slightly right-leaning. However, the organization itself emphasizes neutrality, and most of its content is fact-based without apparent bias. Criticisms are relatively minor and typically come from those who see any slight imbalance as noteworthy.

3. FactCheck.org

• Website: factcheck.org
• This site, run by the Annenberg Public Policy Center, fact-checks statements made by political candidates and analyzes the truthfulness of their claims in a non-partisan way.
• Generally considered non-partisan but has occasionally faced criticism, typically from right-leaning individuals or groups, who accuse it of having a slight left-leaning bias. However, the overall view is that it’s committed to factual analysis and is widely trusted.

4. Pew Research Center

• Website: pewresearch.org
• Although it doesn’t directly focus on candidates, Pew Research offers in-depth studies and surveys that give you a broader context about voter priorities, political trends, and where candidates stand on these issues, without political bias.
• Regarded as one of the most neutral sources of data and analysis. It does not advocate for political positions, and criticisms are rare. Some may argue its surveys and research are interpreted in ways that suit political narratives, but Pew itself focuses on data, not advocacy.

5. Politifact

• Website: politifact.com
• Run by the Poynter Institute, Politifact fact-checks statements made by politicians. It provides a clear rating and offers detailed explanations behind their ratings.
• Generally considered reliable but has faced criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. Right-leaning critics sometimes accuse Politifact of having a left-leaning bias, especially in terms of the frequency or harshness of their ratings for conservative politicians. However, it’s still viewed by many as one of the better fact-checking organizations overall.

6. League of Women Voters

• Website: lwv.org
• They provide voter guides and non-partisan information on candidate platforms and positions. Their goal is to provide voters with the facts they need to make informed decisions.
• Traditionally seen as non-partisan, especially in its voter guides. However, some right-leaning critics have occasionally suggested the League leans slightly left, given its focus on issues like voting rights and healthcare access. Still, it’s generally considered to provide fair, fact-based information.

7. The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD)

• Website: debates.org
• After debates, this non-profit organization provides transcripts and overviews of what each candidate has stated, which can help you evaluate their policy positions directly.
• Republicans have at times accused the Commission of being left-leaning, particularly in relation to moderators chosen for debates. However, it’s also criticized from the left for being part of the bipartisan political establishment, which can shut out third-party candidates. Overall, it aims for neutrality in presenting the debates.

To summarize…

• Most Neutral: VoteSmart, Pew Research Center, Commission on Presidential Debates
• Minor Criticism for Bias: Ballotpedia (slightly right), FactCheck.org (slightly left), Politifact (slightly left), League of Women Voters (slightly left)

It’s important to be aware of what’s going on in our country politically, but not at the expense of your mental health.

Use these tips and resources to equip yourself with the information you need while protecting your peace. No matter what you think or where you stand, exercise your right to vote!